Numerical Optimization of Plate-Line Design for Enhanced Wake-Vortex Decay

Abstract

The design of plate lines as a ground-mounted device for wake-vortex decay enhancement is investigated in this work. The most important design parameters, the aspect ratio and plate distance, are analyzed for the wake vortices generated by two aircraft: the A340 as well as the A380. Large-eddy-simulations are used to simulate the wake-vortex evolution in ground proximity for different parameter combinations. Fully rolled-up wake vortices are initialized using a Lamb–Oseen vortex model resembling the characteristics of the two aircraft. With the stochastic so-called kriging method, estimates of the performance and respective probabilistic envelopes are given for the design parameter region, spanned by the large-eddy-simulation. The vortex circulation averaged over the rapid decay phase is taken as the objective function. The large-eddy-simulation parameters are selected in the vicinity of the expected optimum. An optimal parameter combination can be localized in the A340 case, as well as in the A380 case. For both cases, statistical relevance is provided. Moreover, it can be deduced that the optimal parameters for the A380 are also well suited for smaller aircraft like an A340.